Phone: (509) 826-0100
1-800-725-KOMW
Email: info@komw.net
Dan McCarthy
Okanogan County Pest Board
Fire blight is a serious concern to apple and pear growers this year. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that can damage or kill fruit trees if not controlled with protective sprays at bloom time. Once infected the only method of control is cutting the diseased part of the tree and removing it from the orchard. If growers plan to burn the fire blight diseased limbs they are advised to do so before the County Burn Ban goes into effect. The Okanogan County Burn Ban will go into effect on Sunday, July 1st, 2018. If you burn, do so safely, there have been several reports of fire blight burning getting out of control in Okanogan County. Burn only in the green belt, minimum 200 feet from dry fuel, attend fire at all times, have fire tools and water on site. Notify your fire department before you burn. If you are cutting fire blight through the Summer pile limbs away from the orchard and burn in the Fall when safe. The most infectious period for fire blight is during bloom which has passed. If you have questions concerning fire blight call: Okanogan County Pest Board - Dan McCarthy /agent 322-1286